EAST LANSING - During basketball Media Day at Michigan State on Wednesday coach Tom Izzo looked back at the last 10 season of Spartan basketball. Izzo outlined the achievements of the last decade before stressing that he wants his current Spartan squad to start branching out and making their own achievements in terms of championships and long tournament runs.

Izzo believes that the combination of getting back to Spartan basketball last season combined with an influx of talent in Michigan State's freshman class will provide the talent and depth for Michigan State to live up to its consensus Top 10 rankings.

Izzo said that he is impressed with his freshman class. Izzo said that Chris Allen is the best shooter on the team with the potential of being the best shooter at Michigan State since Shawn Respert. Kalin Lucas, says Izzo, is the quickest player he has ever coached. Austin Thornton is the toughest of the Spartan freshmen and Durrell Summers is a better shooter than Izzo anticipated.

All four freshmen have to improve on their defense for Izzo and his ballclub to make the Final Four type of run the Michigan State coaching staff anticipates they can.